Guard at Fort Wayne jail seriously injured in attack

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. - A guard at the Allen County jail was hospitalized on Christmas morning after being badly beaten by an inmate.

Sheriff's spokesman Jeremy Tinkel said that just before 11:30 a.m. the guard was attacked inside what are called day rooms at the jail, central quarters where inmates are out of their cells and allowed to sit at tables, socialize or watch television.

Tinkel said he didn't know why the inmate, who had a history of violent crimes, attacked the officer.

"He came up and just basically blindsided the officer and started beating him," Tinkel said.

The officer was rushed to a Fort Wayne hospital where he was originally listed in serious condition, but Tinkel said the guard appears to be doing better this evening.